INSTANT MBA: Don't Tell Your Employees To Collaborate Without Showing Them How

"Collaboration is one of those overused words in business today.
And for me, it's less about encouraging people to collaborate and
more about setting the example of what collaboration looks like."

There are two age-old sayings that back up what Jones is saying:
"Show, don't tell" and "Actions speak louder than words."

The term collaboration is often loosely thrown around at
conferences, in meetings, and in company mission statements.
Without action to back up the word, collaboration is just that: a
word. Business owners should be an example of the definition.
Rather than telling people to collaborate, show them what it
means to do so—lead by example.

"As a leader, I have to be prepared to set the right tone, to
demonstrate the behavior that I want in others, and try to create
the total conditions that allow people to do their best work
together. Just telling people to collaborate never works, but
establishing the framework and setting the right example is what
I try to do."

Want your business advice featured in Instant MBA? Submit
your tips to tipoftheday@businessinsider.com. Be
sure to include your name, your job title, and a photo of
yourself in your email.